This Article highlights the role of advocates in pushing government to step up to the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and remaining steadfast through continued policy enforcement. The authors, who participated in the development of the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act, provide insights regarding climate legislation, regulation, and litigation in a state committed to addressing climate change. They conclude by sharing lessons learned and recommendations for how state governments can shape future climate laws to take into account the necessary near-term and longer-term GHG emission reductions, and establish mandates that maximize enforceability.

The year 2015 marked a new era in climate efforts under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change when the nations of the world signed a new implementing agreement in Paris, France. Under the Paris Agreement, Parties committed to make “nationally determined contributions to the global response to climate change” toward a specific consensus end: “Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.” Parties agreed to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations, detailing how domestic law and policy would reduce emissions within national borders, understanding that successive filings would intensify in ambition, and reflecting that each nation has “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.” India stands out with an especially ambitious NDC—a plan that aims for more than any other major emitter that has submitted a plan to date. This Comment focuses on India’s NDC as it pertains to energy systems, and in particular, transitioning the electricity sector to a modern, low-carbon grid.